SUNFLOWERS!

SUNFLOWERS!

The social media landscape in Northern Ireland has been b(l)ooming recently with images of sunflowers!

Ever since Van Gogh famously painted a bunch of them over a century ago, sunflowers and happiness have gone hand in hand. Whether you spot them in your local florist or your neighbour’s back garden – the flowering giants are an eye-catcher.

(Note to readers: If you know the sunflower fields have now closed for 2018, send us a note on social media - we'll then update this article to advise others)

Did you know? Sunflowers are native to North America, have been traced as far back as 3000 B.C. and can grow up to 3 metres tall!

WHAT, HOW, WHERE?

The sunflower phenomenon in Northern Ireland first gained media attention in 2017. In West Tyrone, local man Allan Rainey had been planting sunflower fields each spring for five years – first as an environmental project and then to help raise awareness and donations for a cancer charity.

Last year’s flourishing field on the Ardstraw Road, Newtownstewart, returned with a bang this year – the brilliant weather from May playing a vital part.